Highly shameful personal problem, help needed.

[PurpleToeNail]

About 10yrs ago I developed an extremely pungent armpit - only one side. I've only ever used deodorants sparingly through life previously because I never really needed it. Now, even moments after I've stepped out of the shower the smell is there. Over the weekend, my friend pulled her nose up at the 'extremely stinky' bloke at the next table but I knew it was my armpit. I do use the best deodorants I can find now but still the smell seeps through. I'd like to go back to how I was before. Has anyone else had this problem & found a solution for it? The doctor isn't interested.

Have you tried botox?

Can you afford to see a dermatologist privately?

Is it a good friend ? I would tell them. It will make you feel better and less ashamed . Normal bodily functions can get out of sync. I’m sure you can get on top of it but better to work on how you feel about it

No I haven't tried Botox, I wasn't aware that could help sweating. Though it sounds like that would only be a temporary solution.

I hadn't thought of a dermatologist, I thought they were only for blemishes etc.

When you say the doctor isn't interested, what have they done?

@muimerp

When you say the doctor isn't interested, what have they done?

Nothing. 'It's very common to have one armpit more smelly than the other'.

Go back and see a different GP who at the very least should prescribe you a deodorant.

Does that armpit actually perspire more or just has started to smell?

A swipe of hand santitiser before anti perspirant would kill bacteria but because it contains alcohol may be too strong on your skin and cause a rash if you have senstitive skin.

Driclor and odaban are highly effective treatments for hyper hidrosis and are available behind the pharmacy counter. Follow the instructions carefully, don’t use on recently shaved skin, and skin must be completely dry, use talc to ensure no trace of moisture. It can sting a bit but if you can tolerate it, it will only need to be used for very infrequent top ups before too long.

Anti perspirant inhibits the amount of sweat you produce, deodorant only masks the smell, I thought?

There's not more physical sweat than normal, it doesn't make wet patches on clothes

@ElenaSt

Does that armpit actually perspire more or just has started to smell?

A swipe of hand santitiser before anti perspirant would kill bacteria but because it contains alcohol may be too strong on your skin and cause a rash if you have senstitive skin.

Hand sanditiser sounds useful when out & about.

Have you tried those sea salt ones? Normal deodorants makes my armpits smell - the opposite of how they're supposed to work 🤷🏻‍♀️ - and so I've always used this Pitrock one here: https://www.boots.com/pitrok-crystal-natural-deodorant-stick-100g-10086279?cmmmc=bmm-buk-google-ppccPLAsAsHeroCompareareToiletriesPersonallCare--UKKSmartShoppinggToiletriesPersonallCare&gclid=CjwKCAjwo8-SBhAlEiwAopc9WzQhbFat8q2QF6SKFmHjMBy26uMdr-UJGPfQy1GD8974d9YS0mrzohoCkUUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds - it comes both as a spray and as that solid rock version. They don't clog your pores and so doesn't actually stop the sweating but it kills the bacteria which causes the smells. There's no smell at all under my armpits using this.

@ElenaSt

Anti perspirant inhibits the amount of sweat you produce, deodorant only masks the smell, I thought?

Sorry, wrong word. Right idea

Not sure if you can buy this in the Uk but this is what I use. I highly recommend it My right armpit is very stinky without it.

Is the smell definitely sweat?

It’s not an abscess, ingrowing hair, yeast problem..?

Botox is temporary but inexpensive.

Although.... is it normal armpit smell? I'm surpised it could smell bad moments after getting out of the shower, having washed with soap and hot water, and using antiperspirant, becaue the "stale armpit smell" is the dead bacteria, I though, rather than the smell of fresh sweat, which generally smells quite nice.

Do you use strong antiperspirant (Mitchum or similar) or something "natural"?

So I wonder if it's connected to something else?

A quick google suggested:

"Diabetes.
Gout.
Menopause
Overactive thyroid.
Liver disease.
Kidney disease.
Infectious diseases.
If you have diabetes, a change in body odor could be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis."

Or:

"Sulfur smells like rotten eggs. When it’s secreted from your body in your sweat, it can put off an unpleasant smell. Examples of sulfur-rich foods are:

Onions.
Garlic.
Cabbage.
Broccoli.
Cauliflower.
Red meat."

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17865-body-odor

It seems lazy of your doctor to dismiss it. A sudden change in your body chemistry happens for a reason.

@SW1amp

Is the smell definitely sweat?

It’s not an abscess, ingrowing hair, yeast problem..?

Very pungent sweat smell yes. No abscess or ingrowing hair. I had my armpit hair lasered a long time ago.

OK, this is a bit out-there, but have you checked your breast on that side recently? Is there anything remotely unusual about it? How about your armpit - any lumps?

Assuming all that's normal, then use Rexona/Sure Clinical every single day without fail, and also make sure you wash with bar soap rather than shower gel (which doesn't work well on oily skin or heavy perspiration).

I use Mitchum gel with 2 coats

@FiddleMyFig

Not sure if you can buy this in the Uk but this is what I use. I highly recommend it My right armpit is very stinky without it.

Do you have any other health issues it could be linked to?

Have you tried washing with soap & using apple cider vinegar on armpits in the wash.

I weirdly had one smelly armpit a few months after the birth of one of my dc, presumed it was hormonal.

Wash with bar soap and dry well, use a scrub every so often to shift any build up
Glycolic acid on a cotton pad under arm after washing
Then use sure/dove cream (the 48hr one, it's about £5) at night and a standard one in the morning if you need it

You wrote shameful in your title but you have nothing to be ashamed about as you are doing all you can about what is a health problem.

I mentioned the hand sanitiser as years ago my daughter ran out of her antiperspirant and nicked mine and promptly used that up, so one hot summers day I was left without any and I suppose I could have used my husbands but that was quite a manly smell so I used hand sanitiser and that worked a treat. I don’t perspire much anyway but it certainly kept me fresh and not smelling.

I’m not advising you to use hand sanitiser every time but just as a temporary or occasional measure until it’s sorted.